With plants and trees being known for their ability to absorb and transform harmful gases like carbon dioxide, researchers at the US National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) recently discovered other substances that plants also absorb.

They found that some are particularly efficient at transforming chemicals known as oxygenated volatile organic compounds (oVOCs), which can create long term health and environmental damage, including contributing to lung infections and asthma attacks.

Deciduous trees,which shed their leaves annually, were found to take in these chemicals four times faster than previously thought, with trees that are gathered in a forest setting being even more efficient.  
National Center for Atmospheric Research scientists, we appreciate these insights into the further gifts offered by the plant kingdom for human benefit.

May our deeper appreciation inspire ever more protection for the natural world.  
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/10/plants-clean-up-more-air-pollution-than-previously-thought.php